Container Carrier Apparatus and Methods of Making and Using the Same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily for carrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily for carrying containers having any type of products contained therein. Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows a user to transport various amounts and types of containers securely, minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, contained therein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount of containers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount of containers.

The present invention claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/298,840, titled “Container Carrier Apparatus and Methods ofMaking and Using the Same,” filed Mar. 11, 2019, which claims priorityto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/430,638, titled “ContainerCarrier Apparatus and Methods of Making and Using the Same,” filed Feb.13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No.62/437,891, titled “Container Carrier Apparatus and Methods of Makingand Using the Same,” filed Jun. 9, 2016, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily forcarrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily forcarrying container having any type of products contained therein.Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows auser to transport various amounts and types of containers securely,minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, containedtherein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the presentinvention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount ofcontainers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount ofcontainers.

BACKGROUND

It is, of course, generally known to utilize carriers to carry products,such as food products. A need, however, exists for a carrier apparatusthat allows for the transport of a plurality of different amounts andtypes of containers. For example, pizzas are known to be transported insquare or round cardboard containers, and more specifically, pizzaslices are individually contained within triangular “slice”-shapedcardboard containers. Packaging individual slices may be desired wherehungry people wish to each have their own pizza slice that may bedifferent than the others. Indeed, it is often the case that individualswish to have a pizza slice having toppings specific to their tastes,without having to compromise by ordering a full pizza in which everyonecan agree.

Commonly, a flexible bag is often used to carry one or more containersfor products, such as food products. However, flexible bags do notprovide sufficient rigidity and strength to ensure that containersmaintain their upright position so as not to upset the productscontained therein. Carrying a flexible bag containing product containerstherein is often difficult and awkward, and if handled incorrectly, mayupend products contained therein. Moreover, flexible bags do not providea clean, flat surface for graphics, logos, advertising, etc. that may beclearly discerned by a user. A need, therefore, exists for a carrierapparatus that maintains product containers in desired upright positionsso as not to upset products contained therein. Further, a need existsfor a carrier apparatus that includes a flat surface for presentation ofgraphics, logos, advertising, or other like indicia.

While it may be relatively easy to transport a single full pizza withina relatively large pizza box, it may be difficult to easily and securelycarry and transport a plurality of pizza slice containers in the samemanner. A need, therefore, exists for a carrier apparatus designedspecifically to carry one or more pizza slice containers securely andsafely. In addition, individuals may desire to order one or more pizzaslices and other food products, such as salads, garlic bread, cheeses,spices, sauces, and other like products. Likewise, individuals mayfurther desired to further transport utensils, napkins, wipes, and otherlike non-food products with their food. A need, therefore, exists for acarrier apparatus that allows for the safe and secure transport ofdifferent kinds of food products together, or food products and non-foodproducts at the same time.

Likewise, other food products are also difficult to transport, and aneed exists for a carrier apparatus that maintains products, such asfood products, within individual containers in an upright positionwithout tipping. Oftentimes, individual pizzas, such as single servepizzas, deep dish pizza pies, bakery pies, cakes, cupcakes, and otherlike products may be packaged in cardboard containers for transport, andit is often desired to maintain these products in a certain position ororientation to avoid damage to the food products. A need, therefore,exists for a carrier apparatus that easily and effectively maintainsproducts contained therein in upright desired position or orientation.Specifically, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that minimizes oreven prevents damage to products, such as food products, withincontainers during transport of the same.

It is further often difficult to transport a plurality of containers atthe same time when the containers are of different shapes and/or sizes.Specifically, in the example above, a user may order a pizza slice thatmay be contained within a triangular-shaped pizza slice container, and asalad, pie, cake or other food product that may be contained within asquare container. Likewise, a user may order another product, whether afood product or otherwise, that may be contained in a round container. Aneed exists for a carrier apparatus that can effectively and securelycarry and transport a plurality of containers of different types andsizes, such as triangular-shaped, square, round, or other geometricshape, at the same time using one or more carrier apparatuses. Morespecifically, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that allows a userto mix and match different types and sizes of containers depending onthe products transported therein.

Moreover, a need exists for a carrier apparatus that is easy tomanufacture using inexpensive materials. Specifically, a need exists fora method of making a carrier apparatus that is easily manufactured forone or more specific types and/or sizes of containers. Morespecifically, a need exists for a method of using a carrier apparatusthat allows a user to adopt a first configuration for a first amountand/or type of containers, and/or adopt a second configuration for asecond amount and/or type of containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily forcarrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily forcarrying containers having any type of products contained therein.Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows auser to transport various amounts and types of containers securely,minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, containedtherein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the presentinvention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount ofcontainers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount ofcontainers.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a carrierapparatus is provided. The carrier apparatus comprises a base section, afirst wing, a second wing, and an extended slotted lock flap, whereinthe first wing and the second wing are foldable along a first set offold lines wherein folding at the first set of fold lines and engagingwith the extended slotted lock flap in a first location forms a firstinternal space having a first volume, and a second set of fold lines,wherein folding at the second set of fold lines and engaging with theslotted lock flap in a second location forms a second internal spacehaving a second volume. In an embodiment, the carrier apparatuscomprises three wings. In an embodiment, the carrier apparatus comprisesfour wings.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide a carrier apparatus that allows for the transport of a pluralityof different amounts and types of containers.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the presentinvention to provide a carrier apparatus designed specifically to carryone or more pizza slice containers securely and safely.

Generally, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide a carrier apparatus that allows for the safe and securetransport of different kinds of food products together, or food productsand non-food products at the same time.

Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide a carrier apparatus that includes a flat surface forpresentation of graphics, logos, advertising, or other like indicia.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide a carrier apparatus that easily and effectively maintainsproducts contained therein in an upright position.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide a carrier apparatus that minimizes or even prevents damage toproducts, such as food products, within containers during transport ofthe same.

In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide a carrier apparatus that can effectively and securely carryand transport a plurality of containers of different types and sizes.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the presentinvention to provide a carrier apparatus that allows a user to mix andmatch different types and sizes of containers depending on the productstransported therein.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention toprovide a carrier apparatus that is easy to manufacture usinginexpensive materials.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present inventionto provide a method of making a carrier apparatus that is easilymanufactured for one or more specific types and/or sizes of containers.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the presentinvention to provide a method of using a carrier apparatus that allows auser to adopt a first configuration for a first amount and/or type ofcontainers, and/or adopt a second configuration for a second amountand/or type of containers.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus 10 in anunassembled configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed firstconfiguration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed firstconfiguration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a carrier apparatus having containers therein in afirst configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a carrier apparatus having containers therein in asecond configuration in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a carrier apparatus having different sizes and typesof containers therein in a second configuration in an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus in an unassembledconfiguration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed firstconfiguration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a partially formed firstconfiguration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed firstconfiguration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a carrier apparatus in a fully formed secondconfiguration in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a carrier apparatus in an unassembled configurationin an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrate a carrier apparatus transforming from anunassembled configuration to a fully formed configuration.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate a carrier apparatus transforming into anassembled configuration in an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates to a carrier apparatus primarily forcarrying containers having food products therein; but secondarily forcarrying containers having any type of products contained therein.Specifically, the carrier apparatus of the present invention allows auser to transport various amounts and types of containers securely,minimizing disturbance to products, such as food products, containedtherein. More specifically, the carrier apparatus of the presentinvention comprises a first configuration for carrying a first amount ofcontainers and a second configuration for carrying a second amount ofcontainers.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a carrier apparatus 10 in an unfolded,or flat, unassembled configuration, such as how the carrier apparatus 10may exit a die-cutting machine or other like machine of manufacture.Specifically, the carrier apparatus 10, in a preferred embodiment, maybe made from a single piece of flat material, such as, preferably,corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, card stock, or other like material,although any material may be utilized as apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art, such as plastic, metal, wood, wood pulp, compositematerial, or other like material, and the present invention should notbe limited as described herein. The carrier apparatus 10 may beutilized, as apparent in the following figures, to hold and transportcontainers that are triangular in shape, preferably, or square in shape,as described herein, although the carrier apparatuses described hereinmay be formed to hold any shaped-containers.

The carrier apparatus 10 may comprise a first wing 12 and a second wing14 that may extend outwardly from two sides, respectively, of atriangular-shaped main body portion 16, and an extending flap 18 thatmay extend from the third side of the triangular-shaped main bodyportion 16. The first wing 12 may be folded upwardly from the main bodyportion 16 via fold line 22 that may be disposed on a first side of thetriangular-shaped main body portion 16. The second wing 14 may be foldedupwardly from the main body portion 16 via fold line 24 that may bedisposed on a second side of the triangular-shaped main body portion 16.Finally, the extending flap 18 may be folded upwardly from the main bodyportion 16 via fold line 26 that may be disposed on a third side of thetriangular-shaped main body portion 16. The first wing 12, the secondwing 14 and the extending flap 18 may work in conjunction to form aninternal space thereby encasing a container that may be disposedtherein, as described in more detail below.

The first wing 12, the second wing 14, and the extending flap 18 mayhave a plurality of fold lines that provide optional configurations forholding and transporting a first quantity of containers or a secondquantity of containers. Specifically, first wing 12 may comprise foldlines 30 a, 30 b and 32 a, 32 b that optionally are used depending onthe quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus 10 when in afully folded, assembled configuration. Likewise, second wing 14 maycomprise fold lines 40 a, 40 b and 42 a, 42 b that optionally are useddepending on the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus 10when in a fully folded, assembled configuration. Finally, extending flap18 may comprise fold lines 50 a, 50 b that optionally are used dependingon the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus 10.

In a first configuration, shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first and second wings12, 14 may be folded upwardly relative to the main body portion 16. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2-4, only first wing 12 is illustrated, but itshould be noted that second wing 14 may also be folded upwardly tomirror the first wing 12. In the first configuration, the first wing 12may be folded along fold line 30 a and the second wing may be foldedalong fold line 40 a inwardly and parallel with the main body portion 16to form a top 60 a for the carrier apparatus 10. The first and secondwings 12, 14 may converge in the center of the top 60 a, and may furtherbe folded along fold lines 32 a, 42 a so that the remaining portions ofthe first and second wings 12, 14 are disposed upwardly and adjacenteach other.

First wing 12 may comprise a handle slot 62, and second wing 14 maycomprise a foldable handle portion 64. When the remaining portions ofthe first and second wings 12, 14 converge and are disposed togetherupwardly, the foldable handle portion 64 may be pushed within the handleslot 62, and folded therewith to hold the adjacent and upwardlyextending remaining portions of the first and second wings together, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

The first and second wings 12, 14 thus form an interior space 66 a inwhich a plurality of containers may be placed, as illustrated in FIG. 4.Once containers (not shown in FIGS. 2-3) are placed therein, extendingflap 18 may be folded upwardly, and slot 68 within extending flap 18 maybe disposed over the remaining portions of the first and second wings12, 14 such that the remaining portions 12, 14 are disposed through theslot 68 of the extending flap 18.

When the first and second wings 12, 14 are disposed adjacent each otherand upwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a first engaging end 70 of theextending flap may engage one of two catch slots 72 a, 72 b that may beformed when the first and second wings 12, 14 come together.Specifically, catch slot 72 a may be formed from slot 34 a and 44 a ofthe first and second wings 12, 14, respectively, and catch slot 72 b maybe formed from slot 34 b and 44 b of the first and second wings 12, 14,respectively. Extending flap 18 may therefore be folded at fold line 50a, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to enclose the interior space 66 a.Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the extending flap 18 is showndisposed over the first and second wings 12, 14 such that the first andsecond wings 12, 14 are disposed through the slot 68 in the extendingslot, and the first end 70 of the slot 68 is engaged with the catch slot72 a.

In the first configuration, the interior space 66 a may have a size anda shape to hold a first plurality of containers. As illustrated in FIG.4, the interior space 66 a is shown to hold three pizza slice containers80. The interior space 66 a may have the shape and volume of atriangular prism to hold the plurality of triangular-shaped containerstherein. Because fold lines 30 a, 40 a, 32 a, 42 a and 50 a, and catchslot 72 a, are utilized, the interior space 66 a may have aconfiguration to hold snugly and securely the plurality of pizza slicecontainers 80, as needed. In the first configuration, fold lines 30 b,40 b, 32 b, 42 b and 50 b are not used.

In a second configuration, illustrated in FIG. 5, fold lines 30 b, 40 b,32 b, 42 b, and 50 b, and catch slot 72 b may be utilized to form aninterior space 66 b that may be larger than the interior space 66 a, asdescribed above and shown in FIGS. 2-4. Specifically, in the secondconfiguration, fold lines 30 a, 40 a, 32 a, 42 a and 50 a, as well ascatch slot 72 a, are not used. The interior space 66 b, therefore, islarger in volume than the interior space 66 a and can thus hold adifferent quantity of containers therein. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the interior space 66 b can hold four pizza slice containers 80instead of just three, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The interior space 66 bfurther has a top 60 b formed from the first and second wings 12, 14,respectively, that is formed by different portions of the first andsecond wings 12, 14. Moreover, the first engaging end 70 of theextending flap 18 may engage catch slot 72 b as opposed to catch slot 72a. Therefore, the second configuration may hold a different quantity ofcontainers therein than the first configuration.

First and second wings 12, 14 may further have side flaps 36 a, 36 bthat may be folded inwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, or otherwiseremoved to provide spaces 38 a, 38 b in the first and second wings 12,14. The spaces 38 a, 38 b may allow corners of one or more squarecontainers 82 to be disposed therethrough so that the interior spaces 66a and 66 b may hold the square containers 82 snugly and securely. Anadditional interior space 84 may be formed in front of the squarecontainers 82 that may be utilized for holding items, such ascondiments, utensils, and the like.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the carrier apparatus 10 may bealternately configured to hold a first quantity of containers, a secondquantity of containers, or a mix of types of containers, such astriangular-shaped containers and square containers. The containers maycontain any product, such as, preferably, food products like pizzaslices, salads, garlic bread, desserts, such as pies, cakes, cupcakes,or other like food products. Moreover, the carrier apparatus 10 mayfurther have spaces disposed around the various parts thereof that maybe printed thereon with advertising, instructions, graphics, text, orother like indicia, as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the carrier apparatus 10 may have a flap 17or a plurality of flaps disposed in the main body portion 16 that mayextend downwardly from the main body portion 16 to form a leg or propfor the carrier apparatus 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, so thatthe carrier apparatus 10 may be set on an inclined surface and yet stillmaintain a horizontal disposition. Therefore, any items contained withincontainers carried by the carrier apparatus 10 may not slide due togravity, and may therefore maintain their positions within thecontainers. For example, the carrier apparatus 10 may contain aplurality of pizza slice containers having pizza slices containedtherein. The carrier apparatus 10 may be placed on an automobile seatthat may have a generally inclined surface. By extended the flap 16 fromthe main body portion along fold line 17, the flap 16 may act as a legor prop to maintain the pizza slices within the containers in agenerally horizontal configuration, preventing the pizza sliced fromsliding and causing damage to the pizza slices.

Now referring to FIGS. 7-11, an alternate embodiment of a carrierapparatus 100 is shown and described herein. The carrier apparatus 100is similar to the carrier apparatus 10, as described above and shown inFIGS. 1-6, except the carrier apparatus 100 is primarily designed tohold square, rectangular or round containers therein. The carrierapparatus 100 comprises a square-shaped base portion 102, a first wing104 extending from a first side 105 of the square-shaped base potion102, a second wing 106 extending from a second side 107 of thesquare-shaped base portion 102 opposite the first side 105, a third wing108 extending from a third side 109 of the square-shaped base portion102, and a fourth wing 110 extending from a fourth side 111 of thesquare-shaped base portion 102 opposite the third side 109. Each of thewings 102, 104, 106, 108 may have a plurality of fold lines for forminga first or a second internal space, as disclosed in more detail below.

The first wing 104 may have a first handle portion 112 on an endthereof, and the second wing 106 may have a second handle portion 114 onan end thereof, such that the first wing 104 and the second wing 106 mayfold in a manner to be adjacent each other so that the first and secondhandle portions 112, 114 align together forming a handle 113, asillustrated in FIG. 8. The first wing 104 may have a first fold line 120a and a second fold line 120 b at different locations on the first wing104. Likewise, the second wing 106 may have a first fold line 130 a anda second fold line 130 b at different locations on the second wing 106.The third wing 108 may further have a first fold line 140 a and a secondfold line 140 b at different locations on the third wing 108. And thefourth wing 110 may have a first fold line 150 a, a second fold line 150b and a third fold line 158 at different locations on the fourth wing110.

Each of the first, second, third and fourth wings 102, 104, 106, 108 mayhave a fold line 122, 132, 142, 152, respectively, disposed at thefirst, second, third and fourth sides 105, 107, 109, 111, respectively,of the square-shaped base portion 102. The fold lines 122, 132, 142, 152allow each of the wings 104, 106, 108, 110 to fold upwardly and formsides for an internal space 118 a or 118 b, as illustrated in FIGS.8-11.

More specifically, the carrier apparatus 100 may be configured to haveeither a first internal space 118 a or a second internal space 118 b (asshown in FIG. 11), depending on whether fold lines 120 a, 130 a, 140 a,150 a are used, or whether fold lines 120 b, 130 b, 140 b, 150 b areused. If fold lines 120 a, 130 a, 140 a, 150 a are folded, as shown inFIGS. 9-10, then the internal space 118 a may be formed. If fold lines1220 b, 130 b, 140 b, 150 b are folded, as shown in FIG. 11, theninternal space 118 b may be formed. Internal space 118 b has a greaterheight than the internal space 118 a forming a greater volume, allowingfor one or more additional containers to be placed therein, asillustrated in FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, the first and second wings 104, 106 may befolded upwardly from the base section 102, and, for forming internalspace 118 a, the first and second wings 104, 106 may be folded at foldlines 120 a and 130 a. The first wing 104 may further have a fold line124 a and the second wing 106 may have a fold line 134 a that may befolded so that the first and second wings 104, 106 may be disposedupwardly where the first and second wings 104, 106 converge. Thus,handle portions 112, 114 may be disposed adjacent each other, andtogether may form the handle 113 that may be used by a user to carry thecarrier apparatus 100. In addition, first wing 104 may have anopen-ended first slot 126 a and an open-ended second slot 126 b disposedat different locations on the first wing 104. Likewise, the second wing104 may have an open-ended first slot 136 a and an open-ended secondslot 136 b disposed at different locations on the second wing 106. Whenthe first and second wings 104, 106 converge, the first open-ended slots126 a, 136 a may align together to form first catch slot 160, and secondopen-ended slots 126 b, 136 b may align together to form second catchslot 162, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, third wing 108 and fourth wing 110 may befolded upwardly at fold lines 142, 152, respectively, to form theremaining two sides of the internal space 118 a (or 118 b, as shown inFIG. 11). Third wing 108 may contain an open-ended slot 146 disposedtherein that may extend to the terminal end of the third wing 108, andfourth wing 110 may contain a closed slot 156 that may extend betweenthe ends of the fourth wing 110.

To form internal space 118 a, the third wing 108 may be folded at foldline 140 a and fourth wing 110 may be folded at fold line 150 a.Preferably, the fourth wing 110 is folded first, and disposed over thehandle 113 so that the handle 113 and portion of first and second wings104, 106 are disposed through the closed slot 156. Fourth wing 108 mayfurther have a fold line 158 that may be folded downwardly adjacent to acontainer within internal space 118 a, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Afterfourth wing 110 is disposed in the manner described above, the thirdwing 108 may be folded at fold line 140 a such that the handle 113 isdisposed through open-ended slot 146. Open-ended slot 146 may bedisposed through catch slot 160, and may further have an engaging end147 that may catch in catch slot 160, as illustrated in FIG. 10 to fullyform the internal space 118 a for one or a plurality of containers. Asillustrated in FIG. 10, the internal space 118 a may have sufficientroom for two square containers, although it should be noted that theinternal space 118 a may be sized in any manner to hold any number ofdesired containers, as needed.

Importantly, internal space 118 b may be formed in a similar manner, andbecause internal space 118 b is larger, may be used to hold morecontainers therein as compared to internal space 118 a. To form internalspace 118 b, first and second wings 104, 106 may be folded at fold lines120 b, 130 b, respectively, instead of at fold lines 120 a, 130 a asdescribed above to form internal space 118 a. In addition, fold lines124 b, 134 b of first and second wings 104, 106 may be folded, insteadof fold lines 124 a, 134 a, as described above, to form handle 113.

Likewise, third and fourth wings 108, 110 may be folded at fold lines140 b, 150 b, respectively, instead of fold lines 140 a, 150 a asdescribed above. Preferably, and as illustrated in FIG. 11, third wing108 may first be disposed over handle 113, such that the handle 113 isdisposed through the open-ended slot 146 prior to folding and disposingfourth wing 110 thereon. Thus, open-ended slot 146 may be disposedthrough and engaging end 147 may engage with catch slot 162 instead ofcatch slot 160. Next, fourth wing 110 may be disposed over handle 113such that the handle 113 is disposed within slot 156, thereby fullyforming internal space 118 b. As illustrated in FIG. 11, internal space118 b may be larger than internal space 118 a and may hold morecontainers than internal space 118 a. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 11, internal space 118 b may hold three containers, whereasinternal space 118 a may hold only two containers, securely. Of course,it should be noted that the internal spaces 118 a, 118 b may be designedto hold any number of containers. Further, although containers shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 are square, round containers or containers of othershapes may also be snugly contained therein.

Now referring to FIGS. 12 and 13A-13F, an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention is shown and described herein. Specifically, FIG. 12illustrates a plan view of a carrier apparatus 200 in a flat andunconstructed configuration. The carrier apparatus 200 may have a firstbody 202 and a second body 204 disposed side-by-side. As such, this maybe how the carrier apparatus 200 is created, wherein cardboard stock maybe cut and perforated to form the various separation lines and foldlines necessary to form the constructed embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 13A-13F.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the first body 202 may be separable fromsecond body 204, except along fold line 206 and fold line 208. The firstbody 202 and the second body 204 may each have several fold linesdisposed therein that may be utilized to fold around containers that maybe placed within internal spaces created when the carrier apparatus 200is in its constructed embodiment. As with the embodiments of the carrierapparatuses 10, 100, described above, separate fold lines may beutilized to form either a first internal space or a second internalspace, depending on the series of fold lines utilized to form the firstor second internal space. Therefore, more or fewer containers may becontained within the first or second internal spaces, respectively.

The first body 202 may have fold lines 210, 212 and second body 204 mayhave fold lines 214, 216, each of which may form a base 218 on whichcontainers may be placed and/or stacked, as illustrated in FIG. 13B.First body 202 may have fold lines 220 a, 220 b on a first side 222 offirst body 202 and first body 202 may further have fold lines 230 a, 230b on a second side 232 of first body 202. First body 202 may also have afirst slot 224 disposed on the first side 222 of the first body 202. Thefirst slot 224 may have a relatively wide portion 226 and a relativelynarrow portion 228, which can be used to frictionally hold otherelements of the carrier apparatus 200, as described in more detailbelow. First body 202 may further have second slot 234 disposed on thesecond side 232 of the first body 202. Second slot 234 may have arelatively side portion 236 and a relatively narrow portion 238, whichalso can be used to frictionally hold other elements of the carrierapparatus 200, as described in more detail below.

Likewise, second body 204 may have fold lines 240 a, 240 b on a firstside 242 of the second body 204 and the second body 204 may have furtherhave fold lines 250 a, 250 b on a second side 252 of the second body204. The first side 242 of the second body 204 may further have foldlines 260 a, 260 b, wherein fold line 260 a may have catch slots 262 a,262 b disposed on opposite sides thereof, and fold line 260 b may havecatch slots 264 a, 264 b disposed on opposite sides thereof. Further,first side 242 of the second body 204 may have a handle portion 244disposed therein. Second side 252 of the second body 204 may have foldlines 270 a, 270 b, wherein fold line 270 a may have catch slots 272 a,272 b disposed on opposite sides thereof, and fold line 270 b may havecatch slots 274 a, 274 b disposed on opposite sides thereof. First,second side 252 of the second body may have a handle portion 254disposed therein for matching with handle portion 244 when the carrierapparatus 200 is constructed, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13F, describedin more detail below.

FIGS. 13A-13F illustrate steps for forming or constructing the carrierapparatus 200 into a form that may be utilized to carry one or morecontainers therein. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, after first body 202 andsecond body 204 are separated from each other, except along fold lines206, 208, the fold line 206 may be folded, which causes second body 204to rotate 90 degrees and be placed atop first body 202. In a secondstep, illustrated in FIG. 13B, the fold line 208 may be folded alongfold line 208 so that the second body 204 is centrally andperpendicularly on first body 202. When disposed in this positionillustrated in FIG. 13B, the first body 202 and the second body 204 formthe base 218 on which one or more containers may be disposed and/orstacked. Indeed, the base 218 may be the area on the first and secondbodies 202, 204 within fold lines 210, 212, 214 and 216, respectively.As illustrated in FIG. 13C, a plurality of pizza boxes 290 may bepositioned, although it should be noted that any containers may bedisposed thereon and the present invention should not be limited asdescribed herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 13D, first side 242 and second side 252 of thesecond body, forming wings, may be folded along lines 214 , 216,respectively, and again at fold lines 240 a, 240 b, respectively, tothen meet one another on a top of the boxes 290. When mated thereon, thehandle portions 244, 254 may meet as the first and second sides 242, 252are folded at fold lines 260 b, 270 b, respectively. Thus, the first andsecond sides 242, 252 may wrap around the pizza boxes 290 around thesides and along the top thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 13E, second side 232 of first body 202 may befolded at fold line 212 and 230 b to wrap around the side and along thetop of the pizza boxes. The slot 234 may be disposed over the handleportions 244, 254, wherein the handle portions 244, 254 may be disposedthrough the slot 234. To aid in the positioning of the handle portions244, 254 through the slot 234, the wide portion 236 of the slot mayeasily allow the handle portions 244, 254 to slide therethrough, and thenarrow portion 238 may frictionally lock the slot onto the handleportions 244, 254. Moreover, an end of the slot 234 may further engagethe catch slots 264 b, 274 b that may be mated together when handleportions 244, 254 meet holding the second side 232 over the handleportions 244, 254.

Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 13F, first side 222 of first body 202may be folded at fold line 210 and 220 b to wrap around the side andalong the top of the pizza boxes. The slot 224 may be disposed over thehandle portions 244, 254, wherein the handle portions 244, 254 may bedisposed through the slot 224. To aid in the positioning of the handleportions 244, 254 through the slot 224, the wide portion 226 of the slotmay easily allow the handle portions 244, 254 to slide therethrough, andthe narrow portion 228 may frictionally lock the slot onto the handleportions 244, 254. Moreover, an end of the slot 224 may further engagethe catch slots 264 a, 274 a that may be mated together when handleportions 244, 254 meet holding the second side 232 over the handleportions 244, 254.

The above description is apt when a specific sized container or aplurality of containers that fit therein. However, alternate fold linesmay be utilized on the first and second bodies 202, 204 to hold adifferent sized container or different number of containers.Specifically, instead of three pizza boxes 290, as illustrated in FIGS.13A-13F, only two pizza boxes may cause alternate fold lines 220 a, 230,240 a, 240 b and 260 a, 260 b to be utilized, allowing fewer containersto be disposed therein.

Further, a flap (not shown) may be disposed in one of the bodies 202,204 that may extend and form a leg or prop that may allow the carrierapparatus 200 to be disposed horizontally when disposed on an inclinedsurface, such as an automobile seat. Specifically, the flap may be acut-out having a fold line that may be pushed downwardly to extend fromthe base 218 (as illustrated in FIG. 13B).

Described herein are two exemplary embodiments showing a plurality ofcontainers that may be held by carrier apparatuses 10 and 100. It shouldbe noted that the shapes of the carrier apparatuses and/or the positionsof the fold lines may be changed without detracting from the scope ofthe present invention, to form various carrier apparatuses foradditional types, sizes, shapes, etc. of containers, and the presentinvention should not be limited as described herein.

The carrier apparatuses 10 and 100, as noted above, may be made via anymanufacturing method, including but not limited to, die cutting, laserscoring, or other like manufacturing techniques. Preferably, the carrierapparatus 10 may be made from a flat sheet of cardboard or corrugatedfiber board that has strategically placed cut lines and fold linesdisposed therein to create the functionality described herein.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention. Specifically, FIG. 14A illustrates a top view of a carrierapparatus 300 in an unfolded, or flat, unassembled configuration, suchas how the carrier apparatus 300 may exit a die-cutting machine or otherlike machine of manufacture. Specifically, the carrier apparatus 300, ina preferred embodiment, may be made from a single piece of flatmaterial, such as, preferably, corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, cardstock, or other like material, although any material may be utilized asapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as plastic, metal,wood, wood pulp, composite material, or other like material, and thepresent invention should not be limited as described herein. The carrierapparatus 300 may be utilized, as apparent in the following figures, tohold and transport containers that are triangular in shape, preferably,as described herein.

The carrier apparatus 300 may comprise a first wing 312 and a secondwing 314 that may extend outwardly from two sides, respectively, of atriangular-shaped, diamond-shaped, or kite-shaped main body portion 316,also referred to herein as a base panel, and an extending flap 318 thatmay extend from the third side of the triangular-shaped main bodyportion 16. The first wing 312 may be folded upwardly from the main bodyportion 316 via fold line 322 that may be disposed on a first side ofthe triangular-shaped main body portion 316. The second wing 314 may befolded upwardly from the main body portion 316 via fold line 324 thatmay be disposed on a second side of the main body portion 316.

The extending flap 318 may extend from a third side of the main bodyportion 316, and may roughly be disposed parallel to the third sidethereof. This configuration minimizes the amount of scrap that may begenerated during manufacture of the apparatus 300. The extending flap318 may have a triangular portion 325 having a first fold line 326 a ata first side of the triangular portion 325 where the first side of thetriangular portion 325 meets the third side of the main body portion316. The triangular portion 325 may further have a second fold line 326b at a second side of the triangular portion 325 wherein the second sideof the triangular portion 325 meets the remainder of the extending flap318. The triangular portion 325 may further have a third side 326 c thatis un-connected to any other element.

In use, the triangular portion 325 may fold upwardly at the first foldline 326 a and backwardly at the second fold line 326 b, as illustratedin FIG. 14B, which may cause the extending flap 318 to turn so as toextend perpendicularly from the third side of the main body portion 316,as illustrated in FIG. 14C.

The first wing 312, the second wing 314 and the extending flap 318 maythus work in conjunction to form an internal space thereby encasing acontainer that may be disposed therein, as described in more detailbelow, and as illustrated in FIGS. 14D-14E.

The first wing 312, the second wing 314, and the extending flap 318,when disposed in an extended configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 14C,may have a plurality of fold lines that provide optional configurationsfor holding and transporting a first quantity of containers or a secondquantity of containers. Specifically, first wing 312 may comprise foldlines 330 a, 330 b and 332 a, 332 b that optionally are used dependingon the quantity of containers within the carrier apparatus 300 when in afully folded, assembled configuration. Likewise, second wing 314 maycomprise fold lines 340 a, 340 b and 342 a, 342 b that optionally areused depending on the quantity of containers within the carrierapparatus 300 when in a fully folded, assembled configuration. Finally,extending flap 318 may comprise fold lines 350 a, 350 b that optionallyare used depending on the quantity of containers within the carrierapparatus 300.

In a first configuration, shown in FIG. 14D, the first and second wings312, 314 may be folded upwardly relative to the main body portion 316.As illustrated in FIGS. 14D, only first wing 312 is illustrated, but itshould be noted that second wing 314 may also be folded upwardly tomirror the first wing 312. In the first configuration, the first wing312 may be folded along fold line 330 a and the second wing may befolded along fold line 340 a inwardly and parallel with the main bodyportion 316 to form a top 360 a for the carrier apparatus 300. The firstand second wings 312, 314 may converge in the center of the top 360 a,and may further be folded along fold lines 332 a, 342 a so that theremaining portions of the first and second wings 312, 314 are disposedupwardly and adjacent each other.

First wing 312 may comprise a handle slot 362, and second wing 314 maycomprise a foldable handle portion 364. When the remaining portions ofthe first and second wings 312, 314 converge and are disposed togetherupwardly, the foldable handle portion 364 may be pushed within thehandle slot 362, and folded therewith to hold the adjacent and upwardlyextending remaining portions of the first and second wings together. Thefirst and second wings 312, 314 thus form an interior space 366 a inwhich a plurality of containers may be placed, as illustrated in FIG.14D.

When the first and second wings 312, 314 are disposed adjacent eachother and upwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 14D, a first engaging end 370of the extending flap may engage one of two catch slots 372 a, 372 bthat may be formed when the first and second wings 312, 314 cometogether. Specifically, catch slot 372 a may be formed from slot 334 aand 344 a of the first and second wings 312, 314, respectively, andcatch slot 372 b may be formed from slot 334 b and 344 b of the firstand second wings 312, 314, respectively. Extending flap 318 maytherefore be folded at fold line 350 a, as illustrated in FIG. 14D, toenclose the interior space 66 a. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 14D,the extending flap 318 is shown disposed over the first and second wings312, 314 such that the first and second wings 312, 314 are disposedthrough the slot 368 in the extending flap 318, and the first end 370 ofthe slot 368 is engaged with the catch slot 372 a.

In the first configuration, the interior space 366 a may have a size anda shape to hold a first plurality of containers. The interior space 66 amay have the shape and volume of a triangular prism to hold theplurality of triangular-shaped containers therein. Because fold lines330 a, 340 a, 332 a, 342 a and 350 a, and catch slot 372 a, areutilized, the interior space 366 a may have a configuration to holdsnugly and securely the plurality of pizza slice containers (or othercontainer type), as needed. In the first configuration, fold lines 330b, 340 b, 332 b, 342 b and 350 b are not used.

In a second configuration, illustrated in FIG. 14E, fold lines 330 b,340 b, 332 b, 342 b, and 350 b, and catch slot 372 b may be utilized toform an interior space 366 b that may be larger than the interior space366 a, as described above and shown in FIG. 14E. Specifically, in thesecond configuration, fold lines 330 a, 340 a, 332 a, 342 a and 350 a,as well as catch slot 372 a, are not used. The interior space 366 b,therefore, is larger in volume than the interior space 366 a and canthus hold a different quantity of containers therein. The interior space366 b further has a top 360 b formed from the first and second wings312, 314, respectively, that is formed by different portions of thefirst and second wings 312, 314. Moreover, the first engaging end 370 ofthe extending flap 318 may engage catch slot 372 b as opposed to catchslot 372 a. Therefore, the second configuration may hold a differentquantity of containers therein than the first configuration.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, referencesthroughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and itshould be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant todescribe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the inventionillustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

1. A carrier apparatus for carrying items comprising: a base panel; afirst wing extending from a first side of the base panel; a second wingextending from a second side of the base panel; and a first slotted lockflap extending from a third side of the base panel, wherein the firstslotted lock flap has a length, wherein the length of the first slottedlock flap extends parallel to the third side of the base panel section,wherein the first slotted lock flap comprises a triangular portion,wherein a first side of the triangular portion forms a fold line betweenthe triangular portion and the base panel, a second side of thetriangular portion forms a fold line between the triangular portion andthe first slotted lock flap, and the third side of the triangularportion is a free edge, wherein the first slotted lock flap isconfigured to extend perpendicularly from the third side of the basepanel by folding the first and second sides of the triangular portion toform a perpendicularly extended first slotted lock flap, wherein thefirst wing and the second wing are each foldable along a first fold linedisposed in each of the first wing and the second wing, wherein foldingat the first fold lines in the first and second wings and engaging thefirst and second wings with the perpendicularly extended first slottedlock flap in a first location on each of the first and second wingsforms a first internal space having a first volume.
 2. The carrierapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wing and the second wing are eachfoldable along a second fold line disposed in each of the first wing andthe second wing, wherein folding at the second fold lines in the firstand second wings and engaging the first and second wings with theperpendicularly extended first slotted lock flap in a second locationforms a second internal space having a second volume.
 3. The carrierapparatus of claim 2 wherein the second fold lines of the first andsecond wings are configured to fold the first and second wings upwardlyroughly perpendicularly, wherein portions of the first and second wingsare disposed face-to-face to each other through a slot of the firstslotted lock flap, wherein the second location of each of the first andsecond wings comprises a second notch on each of the first and secondwings, wherein the second notch engages an end of the slot of theperpendicularly extended first slotted lock flap.
 4. The carrierapparatus of claim 2 wherein the second volume is larger than the firstvolume.
 5. The carrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first wingcomprises a second fold line and the second wing comprises a second foldline, wherein the second fold lines of the first and second wings areconfigured to fold upwardly roughly perpendicular to the base panel. 6.The carrier apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second fold lines of thefirst and second wings are disposed in the first and second wings at thelocation wherein the first and second wings extend from the base panel.7. The carrier apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first wing comprises athird fold line and the second comprises a third fold line, wherein thethird fold lines of the first and second wings are configured to foldthe first and second wings roughly horizontally when the first andsecond wings are disposed upwardly due to the folding of the first andsecond wings at the second fold lines.
 8. The carrier apparatus of claim1 wherein the first fold lines of the first and second wings areconfigured to fold the first and second wings upwardly roughlyperpendicularly, wherein portions of the first and second wings aredisposed face-to-face to each other.
 9. The carrier apparatus of claim 8wherein the perpendicularly extended first slotted lock flap comprises aslot, and further wherein the portions of the first and second wingsdisposed face-to-face with each other are disposed through the slot ofthe perpendicularly extended first slotted lock flap.
 10. The carrierapparatus of claim 9 wherein the first location of each of the first andsecond wings comprises a notch on each of the first and second wings,wherein the notch engages an end of the slot of the perpendicularlyextended first slotted lock flap.
 11. The carrier apparatus of claim 1wherein the base panel section is triangular.
 12. The carrier apparatusof claim 1 wherein the base panel section is a four-sided parallelogram.13. The carrier apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flap extendingform a bottom surface of the base panel section.
 14. The carrierapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a second slotted lock flapextending from a fourth side of the base panel section.
 15. The carrierapparatus of claim 14 wherein the first internal volume is formed byengaging the first and second wings with both the perpendicularlyextended first slotted lock flap and the second slotted lock flap. 16.The carrier apparatus of claim 15 wherein portions of both the first andsecond wings are disposed through slots in the perpendicularly extendedfirst slotted lock flap and the second slotted lock flap.
 17. Thecarrier apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a handle extending from atleast one of the first and second wings.
 18. The carrier apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein the first and second wings each comprise a cut-outportion, such that the cut-out portions of the first and second wingsform the handle together.
 19. The carrier apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: a first flap extending from a side of the first internalvolume wherein the second flap is configured to open a first windowthrough which a first portion of a container is disposed when containedwithin the first internal volume.
 20. The carrier apparatus of claim 19further comprising: a second flap extending from a second side of thefirst internal volume wherein the second flap is configured to open asecond window through which a second portion of a container is disposedwherein contained within the first internal volume.